Members of the Beat Generation, young artists and writers of the 1950s-1960s who rejected mainstream culture, wrote experimental literature, and pursued spiritual exploration.
Plural of 'beatnik'; term combines 'beat' (worn out, or the musical beat they listened to) and 'sputnik' (the Soviet satellite, applied mockingly to these 'space-age' rebels).
Famous beatniks like Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs literally changed American literature—'On the Road' invented the modern road novel, and they pioneered stream-of-consciousness writing that influenced everything from hip-hop lyrics to experimental cinema.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.